Key Moments:
- ANJL’s recent research found that 45% of surveyed social program beneficiaries would move to illegal betting platforms if government restrictions are enacted on November 1, 2025.
- Illegal gambling already accounts for about 60% of all bets in Brazil, based on the association’s latest study released on October 27, 2025.
- 73.4% of surveyed beneficiaries favor regulation of the gambling sector by the central government.
Government Action Draws Industry Criticism
The National Association of Lotteries and Games (ANJL) has openly criticized a new Brazilian government measure that bars social welfare beneficiaries, including those in the Bolsa Família program, from participating in licensed online betting. This restriction, according to the association, may inadvertently cause many players to turn to the already substantial illegal gambling market, which accounts for approximately 60% of wagers in Brazil. These findings, detailed in a recent study unveiled by ANJL on October 27, 2025, have brought renewed attention to the unintended consequences of such measures.
Survey Indicates Likely Shift to Unauthorized Sites
Research conducted by Cruz Consulting between October 15 and 18 underscored the potential impact of the government’s approach. The study, focusing on participants in programs like Bolsa Família, revealed that 45% of respondents would switch to illegal betting platforms if the prohibition becomes active as intended on November 1, 2025. The demographic breakdown exposed that nearly 70% of these bettors are men, with the 25 to 34-year-old age group making up 40.8%. The ANJL underscored the significance of these demographic insights, noting that the ban could shift many players to operators outside Brazil’s regulated, fiscal, and legal framework.
Industry Leadership Opposes Prohibition
ANJL president Plínio Lemos Jorge responded to the survey by arguing that prohibiting access is not expected to achieve its objectives and could instead “lead to the strengthening of unregulated sites, now the largest challenge for the government to control“. Jorge further stated that the Ministry of Finance has already brought about 80 firms into legal compliance, but “thousands of unlicensed platforms do their business freely, without checks and balances“.
Advocating for Responsible Gaming Strategies
Rather than broad prohibitions, ANJL recommends prioritizing educational and technical solutions to support responsible play. The association has suggested implementing player verification, setting betting limits, and employing real-time monitoring to help ensure safe and responsible gaming. These initiatives, according to ANJL, hold more promise for keeping vulnerable users within regulated environments and away from illegal alternatives. The study also reported that 73.4% of respondents support government-led regulation of the sector, demonstrating a readiness to operate inside a structured legal framework.
ANJL Submits Recommendations to Finance Ministry
Drawing on its research, ANJL has prepared a Technical Note for the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) of the Ministry of Finance. The document warns against the risks of implementing automatic CPF blocking for Bolsa Família and Benefício de Prestação Continuada (BPC) participants, claiming such tactics could push bettors to unauthorized gambling platforms lacking consumer protections, oversight, and tax contributions.
The association stresses the importance of finding a middle ground that both protects at-risk groups and maintains an effective regulatory regime. ANJL advocates for inclusive regulation that supports Brazil’s goal of a fair, open, and safe gaming environment rather than policies that could jeopardize these advances.
Outlook as Implementation Date Nears
With the November 1 implementation date drawing near, the government’s new rules have sparked debate not just within the industry but also among market analysts focused on policy outcomes, consumer safety, and law enforcement’s capacity to address Brazil’s extensive illegal betting networks.
| Date | Event | Key Statistic |
|---|---|---|
| October 15-18, 2025 | ANJL study conducted | 45% of social beneficiaries surveyed plan to turn to illegal sites if restricted |
| October 27, 2025 | ANJL publishes findings | Illegal gambling estimated at 60% of Brazilian bets |
| November 1, 2025 (planned) | Government prohibition to take effect | 73.4% of surveyed beneficiaries support gambling regulation by the government |
- Author
Daniel Williams
